Social Welfare As A Business: Earning From People's Misfortunes

Fund raising refers to the method of gathering financial support for non-profit purposes that involves identifying solicitations from investors for non-profit enterprises. It consists mostly of asking donations mostly for cause oriented efforts that have no return in financial gain whatsoever. Fund raising is an effective means of obtaining funding by non-profit organizations to maintain their operations in regards to their goals. Such institutions as religions, public broadcasters, political campaigns, philanthropic, charitable institutions, environmental and research organizations substantiate their means of operating under such fundings.

There are several types of fund raising methods used solely for non-profit gains and involve several organizations that utilize these funds partly for their operation as a service providing cause oriented institution, but mostly, for social developmental purposes as well. Even though fund raising is considered a non-profit initiative, they are still given a special category designated by the country's tax laws and vary in their eligibility in qualifying for deductions and exemptions.

Delegated terms of exemption and tax reductions depend on the purpose of the fund raising program and its implicated financial attribution. Organizations and institutions that donate through fund raising programs also come under tax scrutiny as for the purpose of tax reduction and exemption on the contributors part.

Professional Fund Raisers:

Some non-profit organizations pay for the services of professional fund raisers, though it is in conflicting terms with the Code of Ethics of the Association of Fund raising Professionals (AFP), however, employing people to work for the duration of the fund raising campaign is a whole different aspect and does not violate the specific guidelines of the Association of Fund raising Professionals. Some organizations nonetheless take up the services of professional fund raisers who are eventually paid a percentage of the funds raised.

Religious Organizations:

One of the most important institutions that has optimized fund raising in its full potential are the religious organizations. These efforts are organized from the smallest local events up to the global scale. The funds that are accumulated go to the provision of basic needs of the poor and the propagation of evangelical ministries all together.

Political Campaigns:

Fund raising plays a very big and decisive part in any political campaign initiative as well as converging on some very controversial issues as well. Regardless of numerous campaign financial laws and reforms, political financial fundings for some candidates are an issue of moral importance as it implies an attempt in influencing legislation. Counter-advocacy organizations also raise funds in the same manner to work against issues such as these.

Public Broadcasting:

Government funded public broadcasters thrive mostly from public donations as most of its fundings come from the government. Pledge drives are commonly organized three times a year to substantiate funding. Usually taking up to three weeks, viewer ship and listener ship goes down as special programming is aired in order to augment ratings.

Funding Grants:

Grants, as the term suggests, are funds that are freely given, without any repayment necessary, that come from certain individuals such as corporations, foundations, government institutions or trusts. Most often from non-profit organizations, business or educational institutions. “Grant Writing” is the most common means of seeking funds from these institutions and are often referred as asking for an application or proposal. The proposal is usually reviewed by the board members of these institution and evaluated for viable feasibility of any vested interests that may or may not be suitable to the institutions cause. Organizations such as the Caritas Manila, offer assistance to all educational and social endeavors that involve education studies, particularly in the fields of science, technology and environmental advocacies.

Grants are funded for certain projects and require a strict level of financial reporting on the specifics on where the funds will be used. The process includes a submitted proposal to the institution that will give financial funding for a specific project. Individuals and organizations seek out grant providers most of the time to finance individual or cause based oriented projects, but there are instances where grant funding institutions seek out viable projects that have feasible potential that may involve an institutions vested interest.

Grants can sometimes be in the form of social purposes and are considered a tax deductive initiative in the part of the institution that provides funding for social welfare projects. The government considers projects as tax deductive in nature credited to the organization that provides it. This is done through the registration of the grant provider which emphasizes the project as a non-profit organization. A good example would be subsidized projects involving the government with its infrastructure programs such as roads, school buildings and other community based programs.

Most common grants and funding come in the form of financial education support for indigent students and in most cases, are part of a government loan. Most of these grants are given to promising students with exemplary potential that seek government funding for the pursuit of their education. Educational grants seek out students who display a valid potential in satisfying grantor's expectations and in return, provide the needed support in continuing its support to its beneficiary.

Grant are also given out as support to the development of medical, scientific research, industrial, economical development and support in social development such as the arts. The quality of life as we know it today, owes its continued growth mostly to privately funded endeavors. Most organizations today have extended their social involvement in funding social developmental projects which aim to improve the quality of life around us. Funding is very hard to come by as institutions need a valid proof of concept in the feasibility of any submitted requests regarding funds.

Institutions and organizations that provide financial support are also business entities that need to earn back their money, though not the entirety of it, though earning more in the long run, gradually.  There are strict guidelines in compliance once the grant has been given to the beneficiary and in return, the beneficiary must in their own way, meet all obligations that is required in order to be given continued support for their endeavors, hmmm...sounds like slavery to me...what do you think?

The Subtle Whoring Of The Filipino Writer (Ang Pag-Puputa Ng Pilipinong Manunulat)

Filipino writers are among the best of the best all over the world when it comes to flair and passion regarding writing. Unfortunately, scarcity and a poor government who fails in every minimal aspect of taking care of the welfare of its citizens are among the primary reasons in why we, as Filipino writers, engage in the futile search for a meager wage based on our writing skills. The Philippine government has miserably failed in solving all of its economical problems due to the fact that it doesn't do any tangible and credible efforts to address the antiquated problem of education, poverty and corruption of government.

The Philippine government has been sold to foreign principals ever since the United States had brought the rights of colonization from Spain in the late 1890's and as of today, is still the same state as it was then, scrounging for respect from our “masters”. Which puts me back to the main concern of the Filipino writer's plight of having to embarrassingly accept pennies and dimes from arduous writing obligations from principals all over the world. As writers, we are among the top best country with a high degree of English competency in the whole Asian region. We can read and write English, far more better than any of our Asian counter parts even though we are openly treated as slaves in more ways than one.

         (One of my favorite authors who conceptualized "sex, drugs and writing"...William S. Burroughs. The author of "Naked Lunch")

The global accessibility of the Internet has eventually led to further diversify the opportunities of earning added income to those who posses the adept skills in real writing. Unfortunately, honest writers, and I do mean many of them get short changed in regards to the right amount of compensation that should be given to those who truly deserve it in regards to their skills. There is even the frequent intentional misdemeanor of the employers part of making petty reasons not to pay the lowly author as to completely deplete any form of trust regarding such writing endeavors. There are no assurances of any security protecting the Filipino writer from this sort of discrepancy as it is just taken as a social reality that no matter how good you are in what you do, job wise, there is an 80% chance that you will be abandoned after you had done a good job.

Employers who seek out Filipino writers must at least reconsider our plight midst this dwindling morality that is being corroded by utter poverty. We want to earn as badly as the next person who would want to earn an honest day's keep, and we are even willing to do it well beyond the reasonable indicated rate for wages just as long that they be honest about the job that they offer to all Filipino writers. Filipinos are very honest and sincere towards their work and even go an extra mile beyond the responsibility of the job needed just to prove our faithfulness in our mutual respect for our employers.

Another annoying subject is that of those posing as legitimate employers from India and Pakistan, who ask for samples of original writing articles as they will first evaluate it for Copyscape, and then eventually fade off into the darkness, leaving the dumb witted and over trusting Filipino writer wondering what ever happened, as all is too late to realize the truth that his or her article has already been used by the so called employer. We have no way of controlling such matters of employment and it is only by chance that you be so fortunate to encounter an honest employer who will fully fulfill their obligations as honestly as they can. Some lame reasons that I have encountered employers saying that their business is not going so well and that funds can not be provided to pay for services rendered.

On-line writing is a very fulfilling endeavor if your efforts come to fruit in regards to giving informative perspective to the article that you write. Writing is not a lucrative undertaking and will not suffice you financially contrary to all the advertising that you come across the Internet stating otherwise. Be very careful in dealing with employers who are not willing to cross the threshold of trust. Write with your heart and mind first before writing for any other principles other than the truth of the reality of life as money and financial gain can derail you from your divine principles as a writer.

Exploiting Poverty Porn

Poverty porn is not the kind of porn that most people think it is, or are expecting about it. Poverty porn is really about any type of media, whether that it be written, filmed or otherwise, to draw the perspective of its readers and audiences the plight of those who are currently experiencing the undeniable fact that poverty is an inescapable social condition. Charities and humanitarian foundations use this method of attaining the sympathy of the public, to whom they draw support to their causes, earning from the need to dwell on the social aspect of interceding to provide some sort of help to alleviate the living condition of the needy.

It all seems to be a logical reason to willingly give to a cause that helps in improving the quality of life within a community, or is it what they actually say it is? Most charitable institutions, whether it be religious, governmental or privately run, earn substantially large amounts of money from various proceedings that they run, but do they really give it all to the cause that they declare? Which leads to the question if it really helps those that are in dire need? If so, then why are there many people in society today that are still in the clutches of an indigent way of life that have hardly anything to eat despite the existence of these so called “charitable” institutions?

The truth is, life is slowly decaying despite the claims of governments around the world that are allegedly supporting poverty reform programs to improve the life of their citizens. But despite of this, poverty rates are continuing to bloat exponentially, contrary to what most people who think that institutions are gradually making efforts to stave down the ill effects of a spiraling world economy. Considering that developed nations in Northern America and Europe also have problems of their own with regard to their need to reduce the level of poverty in their respective societies, there are still many that live in these parts of the world that have no adequate jobs or means of securing a tangible livelihood to even support their daily needs.

If you think things are bad enough for these developed nations, you should take a glimpse on the horrific way of life in the third world countries such as Africa and South East Asia, particularly in India and the Philippines. Movies like ”Slum Dog Millionaire” are a very good example of what poverty porn is all about. The destitute way of life in these countries make the poor people in the developed countries look like middle class citizens. Compared to people living in western countries, south east Asians are literally living like pigs. The condition of the kind of squalor that these people are living on a daily basis is much worse than being thrown into prison in a western country.

Prison life in the western hemisphere is far better than living in these countries, as most poor people in these countries survive by scavenging the streets, turning over piles of garbage just to forage food to eat. Most of the time, poor people in these countries, particularly in the Philippines, would go to the dumpster of their local fast food restaurant and wait for the waiters to bring out the table scraps and leftovers. They would take these leftovers and bring it home to their families and partake it for their diner, yummy. In recent years however, it has become a business as well, as most of these fast food establishments are now being contracted by middlemen, buying these table scarps and leftover foods and selling them to the poorest of the poor, in which the will clean it up and re-cook it, then sell it off as food.

These kinds of “foods” are a subcategory of the famous “PhilippineStreet Food” and has been given the term “Pag-Pag” (to pat it off as to render it clean) which is a very fitting term considering that you have to clean off anything left of what its former owner has left on it (yuck!). This is often referred to with regard to leftover fried chicken and hamburgers, as the method requires it to be washed down with water and re-cooked in oil. “Pag-Pag” has become a thriving business to the poorest communities in the city of Manila and other provinces where there are many fast food establishments that throw away their table scarps. Despite the huge probability of being inflicted with any type of contagious diseases through contaminated leftover foods, people who eat these “refurbished” foods have no choice as it is the cheapest means of sustaining their hunger.

The poorest of the poor in the Philippines sustain their livelihood by scavenging for refuse such as empty pet bottles, scrap iron, old paper materials such as newspapers and almost anything that they could sell to their local junk dealers. Most of these people live in tenements or even much worse, squatter communities that have evolved to be the breeding ground of the most unimaginable part of society that perpetuates the most unimaginable crimes from petty theft, drug dealing or even worse, hired killers that are willing to kill for amounts as low as $200. Prostitution is very rampant, as there are even families that sell their babies for as low as $300 and even encourage their children as young as 10 years old to commit pornography!

Young children literally loiter in the streets and the main thoroughfares, begging for alms, even bringing along their baby siblings along to draw pity from commuters and passersby. Eventually these children grow up and end up as drug dealers and petty thieves that worsen the already deteriorating state of Philippine society. So, what does poverty porn have to do with this? Simply stated that poverty porn is a looking glass to what society really is around the world and it is a perspective much appreciated not by those who are currently experiencing it, but those that are observing it from a distance.

The world needs poverty porn in a way to make one feel the comfort of what they presently have compared to that of what's happening to the less fortunate around the world. One can consider it like a terrarium in which they can comfortably watch every ugly aspect of how poor people live, without getting their hands dirty and without guilt. Poverty porn gives people the reason to be thankful that its them and not you who is going through that kind of hellish life, and it's a kind of thought that makes you want to cuddle on your warm sofa, while holding that hot cup of chocolate with marshmallows as you watch the ugliness of the reality of life which is a stark contrast to what you are complaining about.

Poverty is both ugly and pungent, as one can clearly imagine being thrown in the middle of all that squalor. Am I being too insensitive? I don't think so. As a final remark, I would just like to quote a stanza sung by Simon Le Bon during the Band Aide song “Do They Know Its Christmas” as it goes like this..."Well tonight thank God its them, instead of you". It just clearly states how caring most people are when it comes to the issue of helping the poor. The truth is, you need to realize that somewhere in the world right now, someone is presently being battered by a strong typhoon, a hurricane, a drought, famine and death...well, tonight thank God its them instead of you. This really makes you feel good, doesn't it?

A Labor of Love: The True Essence of a Social Worker

If there was a corresponding description to the terminology “a labor of love”, that will justly imply to any undertaking in this society, that will be a fitting manner on how to describe a social worker. Social workers are individuals who work for the government that are given the most arduous task of tending to the most obvious problems of what a society is undergoing in terms of poverty and desolation which is more implicative of the problems of the poorest of the poor which are mostly indigents.

Some of the most obvious problems that asocial worker must tackle is related to society's struggle with issues regarding physical and mental illnesses, alcohol and drug addiction. What does it take to become a social worker? Is it a line of work that can be taught in school? The answer is no, as most social workers are not obligated to learn any special skills except that of knowing how society affects the lives of people and a sensitivity to the problems that surround us that influences our decisions of dealing with life's problems.

Social workers tend to be more sensitive in regards to hearing out people's problems as they should be good listeners as well. People who choose to become social workers should be very keen in pointing out the causes of problems as it would help them find a solution to it in the most sensible manner as it should benefit the people that they are helping. To become a social worker, you need to know the most important requirements that will earn you your accreditation as it is a very demanding form of work that can get the best of you on the end of the day.

But despite the obvious difficulties that this line of work would demand from you, it is still one of the most fulfilling occupations that a person could have as you get a chance to help other people with their problems and with helping them overcome certain obstacles in their lives, as to improve the quality and substance of the life that they have, which they have the potential to achieve.

Most social workers are college degree holders who have studied psychology, sociology or other related courses that deals with social and human behavioral sciences. A four year college degree usually is sufficient enough to make you qualify for the job. In the United States, a social worker require to pass an examination in order to avail of a license to practice. In general, all social workers are under the jurisdiction of the local government of the city in which they serve. The primary job description of a social worker is to mitigate in between the government and the individuals who are not capable of coping up with social problems such as poverty. A social worker is usually called upon the request of concerned individuals to look into certain problems which basically concern other people.

Social worker are usually the ones that go to the most indigent in society to evaluate their living conditions, especially is they tend to have children or elderly people among them that do not get the right amount of welfare service that the government provides. They are also concerned with child welfare and act upon what they evaluate to make assessments on how to best deal with certain situations in where people who should look after their children or elderly, fail to comply with the basic requirements that the government has set upon.

There are often times that children are taken away from their parents in which the government looks after the vested interest of the children in the event the parents can no longer support them. In the case of elderly people that are living without any companions with them, social workers are the ones that look after for their own sake and evaluate the best course of action that can be taken so that these elderly people can live the rest of their remaining years in which the government will look after their welfare.

It might seem just like a simple line of work, but there are times that a social worker must in one way or the other, risk their safety in order to comply with their duty in carrying out their duty to ensure the welfare of the people around them. There are times that a social worker must interact and cope with the needs of people with mental disabilities that need medical attention, especially if these people were already abandoned by those who should be taking care of them. There are even times when a social worker has to deal with people who are drug dependents, which may even put a social workers life at risk as people who have a history of substance abuse tend to become violent at certain times.

Social workers often find themselves in the middle of a family conflict in which most of the time they try to sort it out using the best of what they can advise on which proper solution a family must do to resolve their conflicting problems. Despite the hardships that this sort of job can offer, many still go on to become social workers as many of them find a sort of gratification in times of being able to help people overcome their problems. Social workers are some of the most broadminded people that work under pressure from the daily problems that other people face in regards to the lives that they live. For some people, they rather choose to become accountants, lawyers, doctors, engineers and teachers for that matter and wouldn't even dream of becoming a social worker.

Social work is not a lucrative careers to say the least. The working conditions are not the best as you will always find yourself in the most unimaginable places and in the most uncompromising situations, but the rewards are more satisfying than the highest paying job that you can ever think of, as seeing another fellow human being pick up their lives from where they had fallen off is one of the most inspiring and self fulfilling sense of gratification that one can feel, and as true to the word, social work is definitely a labor of love.